Friday, July 31, 2009

Gwyneth's Cleansing: Good Sense Or Dodo Diet Advice?

Apparently, the diet cleansing is working for actress Gwyneth Paltrow. That and a love of working out, since she and Madonna share the same fitness trainer. However, we like the 'softer, rounder curves' Gwyneth is showing, rather than Madge's too sinewy muscular silhouette.

Here is Gwyneth Paltrow at the Children of the City 'Champions of Hope' benefit in New York City Wednesday night.

Gwyneth is fresh from another 3-week-long cleansing. That means 3 weeks of smoothies and salads. Actually, we are attracted to that diet plan. We believe we could pull that off.

But the Academy-award winning actress has been 'pooh-poohed' by critics, claiming that her lifestyle website, Goop.com, is teaching women how to detox and cleanse. And some medical professionals claim that cleansing can cause serious problems with the body.

The cleanse, developed by Gwyneth's doctor and detox diet specialist, Dr. Alejandro Junger, is made up of two liquid meals a day with a solid one (no processed foods, dairy, sugar, etc) in between.

Let's be real here.....Gwyneth Paltrow is already uber slim to begin with, but then again, she is seen by millions on the big screen, and actresses want to be very thin because the camera adds about 15 lbs. Still, it is difficult to read on her website, about having to shed a few extra lbs. she gained at the holidays. Er, where are those lbs. hiding?

So what's wrong with diet or detox cleansing?

We hunted around for information, and found these quotes from FoxNews.com. Interviewed was Peter Pressman, MD, an internal medicine specialist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

According to Dr. Pressman, "the problem is that some groups may suffer severe adverse effects from highly restrictive diets. They include children and teenagers, pregnant or breastfeeding women, seniors, and people with heart disease, diabetes, or other chronic conditions. These groups are especially vulnerable to intestinal and even cardiac problems stemming from malnutrition."